First day of school

In the earlier post I referenced the Raiders’ ultra-light practice session which aborted plays with a whistle within a second or two of the snap.

It was a practice which would be scoffed at by old-timers. When the Raiders said they were going twice a day for the first four days Tom Cable was called “Old School,’’ when in reality it was just “school.’’

It looked about as strenuous as a day behind a desk, toting the math book to a locker while grabbing another for biology.

Tweets from Kirk Morrison and Darren McFadden, referencing their need for naps after the practice, were amusing in that light.

Still, some players made a solid argument to the method behind the lack of madness, other than saving their bodies and avoiding the brutality of blitz pick-up drills.

“I think it’s great because we get to get our bodies and our minds re-acclimated for getting to football, so when we get in on Monday, it’s pop, pop, pop, and you don’t have any excuse about rust, because you’ve already had an opportunity to get it out of the way,’’ strong side linebacker Jon Alston said.

Free safety Hiram Eugene, from his familiar spot well behind the rest of the defense, insisted there was plenty to be gained from the format.

“What I’m accomplishing is the focus aspect of getting proper depth on my alignment, also just visualizing, seeing what’s going on, and when the time comes when I’m breaking full speed I can just see that much better,’’ Eugene said.

Said JaMarcus Russell: “He’s doing it this way so on Monday we’ll have a sense of what’s going on.’’

More sights and sounds from the morning session:

– “A lot of the younger players, Louis Murphy, we had Todd Watkins, we had Will Franklin, Jonathan Holland, a lot of guys where we could be ourselves with nobody listening. You never know what you’re able to do,’’ _ Russell when asked who attended his passing camp in Alabama.

– Wide receiver Chaz Schilens had a prior engagement and said he could not attend. He did, however, get in some off-season work with Jeff Garcia in San Diego.

– “I try to let the money go away. But since other people bring it up, it is something that a lotta people that have been playing football their whole life and the work they put in as a kid up to now they final got paid for it.

“That’s the way I look at it. So other than that as a quarterback you are always in the eye so play close attention to what you do never know who’s watching.’’ _ Russell on coping with the money and fame that goes with being an NFL starting quarterback and No. 1 overall draft pick.

– “Depends on who we’re playing, just like every other year. There are certain games where I will follow a guy, there are certain games where if a guy starts hurting us then I’ll follow him. And there are certain games where we’re not worried about it and we’ll just stay on both sides. It will be pretty similar,’’ _ Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha on whether he’ll shadow the opposition’s best receiver.

– Sounds as if new left end Greg Ellis isn’t going to miss being an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

“It felt good to know, all right, pretty much every time I’m going to be rushing,’’ Ellis said.

Well, on the pass plays, anyway. How Ellis will play the run in Oakland remains to be seen. He typically came off the field against run-heavy teams like the New York Giants.

–“To me, the short time being with him, he seems to say, `OK these guys do this the best so that’s what we’re going to need to do, ‘’ Ellis on the defensive philosophy of coordinator John Marshall.

– Cable is in to slogans. He designed a T-shirt that said, “Wanted, 53 men committed to one purpose’’ on the front.

On the back of the shirt is the printed paragraph: “Once a man has made a commitment to a way of life he puts the greatest strength in the world behind him. It’s something we call heart power. Once a man has made this commitment nothing will stop him short of success.’’

– The Raiders are said to be waiting for league approval on the contract of Darrius Heyward-Bey before he can attend practice, which would probably be later today or during one of Friday’s sessions. On his twitter account, agent Alvin Keels reports an inside source saying DHB will get $23.5 million guaranteed and that the deal has a maximum value of $54 million.

Keels is not DHB’s agent, by the way. He’s represented by Tom Condon and Ben Dogra of CAA Sports.

I know he signed a contract, but I’m not sure if he was in camp today.

24

I don’t like all these articles on how the Raiders are going to blitz alot more. I’ll believe it when I see it, otherwise its just a bunch of smoke.

RaiderKen

Thanks Dogg
I’ve been on vacation and just got back.

http://sportmag.us/images/Lester_Hayes_November_1981.jpg RaiderDogg

O

I believe everyone was accounted for except Burgess

Brien the 510 General

If it sounds like I’m cranky today it’s because there’s a mouse stuck in my ass. I knew I shouldn’t have tried it.

RaiderKen

What’s up on the limited posted warning? Is it timed or post counts?

24

bydavidwhite Wish there was something to report. No plays are being run. Just choreographing stuff.
35 minutes ago from web

Jerrymcd Pracitce concludes. No plays run to completion, no other DHB chances. Will file another Raiders blog shortly . . .
4 minutes ago from web

http://www.niners.com Norco Bob

Im up in koolkell right now, I hope hes loving it because I am, oh, by the way hes wearing a pretty steve young jersey.

http://RaiderO Raider O

Dogg,

And DHB!

I can’t wait to see Mitchell hit.

Brien the 510 General

Bob, are you going to pick me up in Dave’s RV today?

24

The coaching staff probably realized they had to choreograph how to catch a pass for DHB after they saw him drop one haha.

http://brien'spimp Norco Bob

Brien, on our way right now. Dave’s coming here, I’m going to pick up my pills and wine, and the three of us are taking the RV to the Bahamas.

Brien the 510 General the only

Nice one troll. Unlike other folks I find the trolling quite amusing. Troll on

Brien The 510 General The Only

See you soon, Bob. I remember when we took Dave’s RV to Australia.

http://sportmag.us/images/Lester_Hayes_November_1981.jpg RaiderDogg

O

All I can say is Mitchell better not be concussion prone!

http://RaiderO Raider O

Mitchell wants to knock out Murphy, but he can’t. lol
Mitchell said: I was instructed to keep everybody up.

I like this kid a lot!

Brien The 510 General The Only

Butter in my ass

http://www.raiders.com Oakglenn

I’m blogging!

Brien the 510 General the only

Monday will be the best time to have real interesting debate. Jerry will have the server up tho lol

24

I’d like to hear Branch talking about knocking heads off too but of course…if hes going to quietly kill people, I’m ok with that but lets start showing the skills this year finally because hes been nothing but soft up to this point.

http://RaiderO Raider O

Tatum & Lott were healthy, and I think so will he. IMHO

Brien the 510 General the master

Anyhow, catch yall later

http://sportmag.us/images/Lester_Hayes_November_1981.jpg RaiderDogg

24

Branch was a rookie last year and he broke his arm hitting someone. That doesn’t sound soft to me. Plus he is a hell of a gunner on ST’s. I saw him at the hustling down the field to the point of attack several times with that cast on his arm. Don’t under estimate this kid.

http://sportmag.us/images/Lester_Hayes_November_1981.jpg RaiderDogg

“at the hustling”?

http://RaiderO Raider O

But you can’t tell till after a few seasons. There are players like Bob Sanders, and others like Brian D. We need that attitude on the team, and we have lacked such a thing for years.

http://none Reality

There is no excuse for FAT BOY showing up at 270.
He clearly has no control of himself and will eat his way out of the league in three years.

http://RaiderO Raider O

Branch & Mitchell !

I like their talent and attitude, so I hope they can remind us of Tatum & Atkinson.

24

RaiderDogg – You know…you’re right. I think age is getting to me. I feel like the guy has been here for a long time for some reason. I was thinking he was going into his 3rd season. I guess I’m just impatient.

Hopefully they keep their attention to detail throughout camp and the season.

You also gotta wonder if there comes a time where these drops from D-HB start getting to him mentally. they are going to have to bring this guy along

24

The point was made…Wheres the Diva Crabtree? I wanted to draft him but this attitude thing bothers me.

http://sportmag.us/images/Lester_Hayes_November_1981.jpg RaiderDogg

24 Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
RaiderDogg – You know…you’re right. I think age is getting to me. I feel like the guy has been here for a long time for some reason. I was thinking he was going into his 3rd season. I guess I’m just impatient.”

I feel you bro, as fans we just keep waiting and hoping this is the year.

Maybe you were thinking of Calvin Branch? It seems as if your last name is Branch you have a decent chance of making the Raiders…

SOLOMON

RAIDERS RAIDERS WHAT IT DO

WE GONE ROLL OVER YOU A LOTTA RACIST SUCKAS ON THIS BLOG

CLAIM THEY SUCK SLIME LIKE A FROG

SHOULDN’T YOU BE ROOTING FOR THE NINERS

LEAVING YOUR NUMBERS IN THE BATHROOM AT ALL NIGHT DINERS

FRONTIN LIKE YOU KNOW THE GAME

YOU WOULD KNOW THE GAME IF IT WAS YOUR NAME

WOULDN’T EVEN PLAY AFRAID TO GET SACKED AND SMACKED

YOUR OLD,FAT AND WACK YOUD HAVE A FUCKIN HEART ATTACK

YOUR OLD ASS WOULDN’T RUN AFTER ME IF I HIT YOU WITH A BASEBALL BAT

OR THROUGH YOUR MARK ASS IN A HOLE THAT WAS BLACK

BLACK HOLE SHIT BITCHES
TOWN BUSINESS LIL BOY!!!!!!!!!
NEGRO CHRONICLES
SEE ME IN THE STANDS!! HAHA

SOLOMON

FUCK EVERYBODY ESPECIALLY YOU JERRY MCDONALD!!!!!!!!!!!!
FIRST I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE WORST BEAT WRITER IN THE NFL AND NOW YOUR MAKE A DUMB ASS REMARK LIKE THIS. WHY DOESN’T ESPN CALL YOU AGAIN? AND FOR EVERYBODY ELSE JERRY MCDICKLESS DOESN’T DO A GOOD JOB HE LETS US KNOW WHAT? WHAT WE KNOW ALREADY! TALK SPORTS YOU FUCKING PEONS DON’T MAKE RACIAL REMARKS AS YOU CAN SEE I HAVE REFRAINED FROM SAYING ANYTHING LIKE THAT BUT ANYONE WHO WOULD BLOG IT AND THEN GO TO WORK AND “SHOOT THE SHIT” WITH SOMEONE OF ANOTHER ETHNICITY IS A COWARD AND A DOWNRIGHT YELLOWBELLIED CHICKENSHIT!!!!!!!!!!! KEEP TYPING ON A COMPUTER FOREVER LAZY FAT UNTRAINED SOFT FUCKING PUDDING PIE PUDDLE MY GROUP IS AN ORANGE

http://www.dannysouthwick.com DO NOT HATE ON MY BOY SOUTHWICK

WB Lamar Odom.

http://www.dannysouthwick.com DO NOT HATE ON MY BOY SOUTHWICK

Jerry, get the server crap straightened out already…the clowns are coming out like roaches.

SOLOMON

DRAFT REY MAUALUGA WHY NOT BECAUSE WE DONT WANT TO KNOW SUCKAS OUT LIKE JERRY MCDONALD AND THE REST OF THESE SORRY BAND OF OF RUN DOWN BANDINGOS THAT CANT HACK IT. WHO? YOU MIGHT ASK?
BRIENTHE510GENERAL- NO YOUR NOT THE 510 GENERAKL YOU ARE A CAST OFF WHO GOT KICK OUT OF THE 415 AND HAS NOBODY TO STOP YOU FROM USING THE COMPUTER TO CONTINUE THIS LIE

NORCO BOB OBVIOUSLY A RACIST BUT I WOULLD NOT ONLY FUCK YOUR WIFE/ GIRLFRIEND I WOULD ALSO KICK YOUR ASS YOU ARE SOFT AND IF IT WAS EVER KNOWN TO ME WHO YOU WERE I WOULD SCRAP YOUR FACE ACROSS THE CLOSEST SURFACE BITCH BUSH RULES HUH? HOWS YOUR PORTFOLIO LOOKING? AND YOUR A FAG DOESNT SURPRISE ME AT ALL

MISTA BROWN WHAT DO YOU KNOW? NOTHING AT ALL GO BACK TO WATCHING PORNO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT

SOLOMON

SOUTHWICK SUCKS WHY DOESNT HE HAVE A JOB?

SOLOMON

UFL CFL GRAHAM HARRELL AND HE DID IT IN BIG GAMES AGAINST FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICKS